Tia Queta Mexican Restaurant

The Tia Queta Restaurant offers Mexican food
at 4839 Del Ray Avenue in Bethesda, MD 20814.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

There are many Mexican restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area, but not many
feature the food typical of Mexico. Tia Queta stands out from the bunch
by providing dishes that may be found in the southern regions of Mexico
away from the influences of Tex-Mex, California and New Mexico cuisines
tailored for the American public.

Interior of Tia Queta's Mexican Restaurant

The interior of Tia Queta's restaurant has wall decorations
typical of Mexico. The wood beams along the ceiling and the
pots with plants create a semi-rural setting that might be found in
a Mexican hacienda.

Salsa and corn chips

Tia Queta, like most Mexican restaurants, provide a dish of salsa with a basket of corn chips
as a complementary appetizer.

Tacos

The Tacos are rolled tortillas filled with either chicken or beef which are fried until crisp
and served on a bed of lettuce with cheese, onions and three sauces.

Tacos al Carbon

The Tacos al Carbon are soft corn tortillas served with grilled beef or chicken.
You are supposed to add salsa, roll them up and eat them with your hands.

Squid appetizer

A second visit to Tia Queta did not make as good impression as the first.
Some of the dishes have changed and the menu seems more Americanized except for the names.
The Squid appetizer was what you are likely to find in Italian restaurants,
but the sauce is somewhat different from a marinara sauce.

Mushroom appetizer

The mushroom appetizer was really good. The cremini mushrooms were simmered
in a sauce with garlic, tomatoes, onions and spices that was delicious.

Shrimp with pineapple

The shrimp with pineapple was also very tasty. The tanginess of the sauce
and the sweetness of the grilled pineapple combine well. However, look at the
pale rice compared to the two pictures from an earlier visit.
This is no longer the flavorful Mexican rice seasoned with onions and tomatoes that
is traditional in Mexico. This was not a change for the better.

Chicken with Mole sauce

Mole is a traditional Mexican sauce made with roasted ancho peppers and flavored
with garlic, cumin, oregano and chocolate. The Tia Queta version lacks the
spiciness and aroma of the genuine mole.

Beef enchiladas

Enchiladas are tortillas basted with a red spicy sauce and filled with
beef, chicken or cheese. Additional sauce is served on top of the rolled tortillas,
and the enchiladas are then garnished with cheese.

Call the Tia Queta restaurant at (301) 654-4443.
Find more information about the restaurant at its web site:
www.tiaqueta.com